Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jul 22: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologise to students over the police crackdown during the July 20 'Chalo Sansad' protest against alleged examination paper leaks and student suicides. He also sought the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The demand came after Opposition parties staged a sit-in protest outside the Prime Minister's residence, alleging that the government had refused to allow a discussion in Parliament on the police action against student protesters. The demonstrators were later detained by the Delhi Police.
Speaking in a video recorded during his detention at Chhatrasal Stadium, Gandhi said he had met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking permission for a debate on the incident.
"I told the Speaker it was important that Parliament discuss what happened to the students. He said he needed the government's permission, but it became clear that the government had no interest in allowing such a debate," Gandhi said.
He said the Opposition had decided to protest outside the Prime Minister's residence to bring national attention to the alleged assault on students.
Gandhi demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in the examination system and Home Minister Amit Shah over the police crackdown on student protesters.
He also called for action against those responsible for assaulting and humiliating the students and demanded that all criminal cases registered against the protesters be withdrawn.
Questioning the state of the country's education system, Gandhi asked why examination papers were repeatedly leaking, why education had become increasingly expensive and why families were being financially burdened to educate their children. He described these as legitimate questions that deserved answers.
Addressing Prime Minister Modi, Gandhi said the government should apologise to the students for the events of July 20 and immediately begin reforms in the examination and education systems.
The video released after his detention showed Gandhi wearing only one shoe, with his other foot bare, apparently after the police action during the protest.
The sit-in was attended by Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule and several other Opposition MPs.
The protest continued for more than three hours before Delhi Police removed and detained the leaders. Gandhi was taken to Chhatrasal Stadium and released at around 10 pm, while Priyanka Gandhi was taken to Mandir Marg police station and released around 9.45 pm.
The 'Chalo Sansad' march, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on July 20, witnessed thousands of protesters marching from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament over alleged examination paper leaks and student suicides. Police stopped the march by erecting multiple barricades across central Delhi.
As protesters attempted to breach the barricades, police fired tear gas shells and resorted to lathi-charge. Videos circulating on social media showed several injured protesters with head wounds. Police, however, alleged that some protesters had pelted stones at security personnel.
Officials at a government hospital said at least 100 protesters received treatment for injuries, while police put the number of injured at around 60. A 22-year-old woman injured during the police action continues to remain in the intensive care unit at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, according to her family.
Sources said the Centre was willing to hold talks with students and CJP representatives but had not committed to accepting their demands or indicated when the next round of discussions would be held.
Responding to the controversy, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the Congress of politicising student issues.
In a post on X, Pradhan said the government was fully prepared to discuss the examination issue and address students' concerns in Parliament.
He said the students of India deserved certainty, solutions and accountability rather than political confrontation, adding that the government remained committed to reforms and ensuring transparency in the examination system.
Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 13 persons in connection with this year's NEET-UG paper leak case.